The standard will establish classification and testing criteria for fixed and portable decontamination showers, according to ISEA President Daniel K. Shipp. The criteria under consideration include flushing performance requirements, deployability, environmental elements, lighting, privacy, accessibility, training, and product labeling and certification.

Firefighters and others involved with emergency medical services and other forms of healthcare and homeland security response are encouraged to download a survey form from ISEA’s Web site, www.safetyequipment.org (http://www.safetyequipment.org/deconsurvey.pdf), and complete and return it to ISEA by Sept. 15, 2005, following instructions on the form. The survey will take about five minutes to complete. The first 100 respondents will receive a complimentary copy of the new standard when it is published, according to ISEA.

“We believe that this standard will be a valuable tool for those involved in emergency response,” Shipp said. “Key stakeholders’ input will help us ensure that criteria important to end-users are considered in the standard’s development.”